Getting the photo "just right" would be open to interpretation. As Cam mentioned, if you angle the lights low to rake across a blemish, you'll over-emphasize texture. If the light is soft and straight on, you'll de-emphasize it.

In either case, end-customers could complain that it wasn't represented correctly.

"You know how when you're helping your buddy move a sofa bed down from his third floor apartment and it violently pops open on a landing, putting a deep gouge in the wall? Well, this blemish looks like the exact opposite of that. 'Tis but a scratch."

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"I wish I had documented more…" said nobody on their death bed, ever.

How is shipping handled? I see where the buyer pays for the shipping. I suppose that Axiom collects the bid money plus shipping cost from the buyer. Then, I'm guessing that Axiom then electronically sends me a shipping label?

Maybe it's just me, but I liked the Factory Outlet site/idea a whole lot better than the Auction stuff. If I want an auction, I'll hit up Audiogon or eBay.

With the F/O, if I decided *today* that I wanted a pair of M2's, I'd just go order them from the outlet knowing that they'd be as good as the full-priced ones. All stock was always available. Easy to navigate, easy to order. 8 weeks later, hooray.

I can't do that anymore. Now I've got to either pay full price for 'new' ones, or I visit the auction site to find that there are 6 sets of speakers for sale, none of which are what I want. Blah.

I don't know. I guess I just miss the discount + awesomeness was that was the Factory Outlet. Or am I missing something?

The prevailing theory is that the reason the speakers from the factory outlet were usually so flawless, is that if during the 8 week period Axiom didn't ding a cabinet you'd get stock that would have normally been sold at full price.

The prevailing theory is that the reason the speakers from the factory outlet were usually so flawless, is that if during the 8 week period Axiom didn't ding a cabinet you'd get stock that would have normally been sold at full price.

That's fine. I understand that it was certainly a business decision on Axiom's part. After all, any manufacturing company should strive for the fewest defects as possible. They probably hit a point where the level of 'defect' products was so low that the Outlet wasn't financially feasible.

I've been nothing but impressed with Axiom's products and actions as a company. I just think the Auction site is a dumb idea. And as a customer, I'm disappointed that they replaced the Outlet with the Auction site. It's harder to use and far less useful.

I got a "B" VP150 last week off the auction site, and the only flaw I could find was with the grill.

There was this huge rip from one end to the other....just kidding.

When I took the grill off to check out the speakers, one of the pegs had the plastic seat attached to it. That I can live with. On Friday my "B" M60's arrive. I'll give you a shout if I find a scratch made by an ice pick.

Actually arrived on Thursday, and as far as I can tell, they are flawless. I guess I can take them out on the patio this summer and study them for some defect, but why look that gift-horse in the mouth. The auction was a very good deal, even though they are V2's. I have lost my ability to appreciate high frequencies anyways, so I do not need new and improved tweeters.

I don't have a lot of time with them yet, but it is an upgrade from my Polk RT800's. I'm planning on some Blu-ray's and of course, playoff football this weekend. (go Steelers). That should seal the deal for these beauties.